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    (Old) Z CPU modding

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by 5ushiMonster, Jan 8, 2010.

  1. 5ushiMonster

    5ushiMonster Notebook Deity

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    Ok - My current Z26, which I have no plan of replacing with the redesign until I read a proper review, has a C2D P8600 CPU (2.4GHz / CPU).

    I know that some of the high-end, current Z in the States and in Japan are rolling out with the C2D T9900 which has 3.06GHz / CPU and double the cache at 6MB.

    My question is whether I am able to replace the current P8600 with a T9900?
    I remember reading somewhere that the 4th gen Z has a slightly different mobo structure than the earlier ones to compensate for the heat, so was wondering if the mod is even possible at all?

    Cheers in advance.
     
    5ushiMonster, Jan 8, 2010
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  2. MegaMan X

    MegaMan X Notebook Evangelist

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    Actually, because the T9900 has a 35TDP (Heat/Energy) rating, the cooling assembly is actually different. The motherboard is exactly the same.

    When the Z first came out, (I have the Z590 and the Z790), my Z590 had the P9500 25TDP 2.53GHz 6mb L2 Cache, and I have the latest Z790 (ordered right before the Windows 7 refresh with a huge discount), it has the P9700 28TDP 2.8GHz 6mb L2 Cache, and it has the newer 35TDP cooling assembly with copper fins.

    Honestly though, you can't really tell the difference in terms of speed. The biggest change you can do actually feel day-to-day in terms of speed is a SSD drive. You should upgrade your SSD before the CPU. Taking the CPU and the cooling assembly off (which I've done to put in some proper thermal grease) is a pain in the butt to do, but taking the harddrive out is a cinch!
     
    MegaMan X, Jan 8, 2010
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  3. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Just buy the new heatsink.

    It might be worth just overclocking the FSB instead.
     
    moral hazard, Jan 8, 2010
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  4. 5ushiMonster

    5ushiMonster Notebook Deity

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    I do alot of CPU intensive stuff. Think Visual Studio and C++ script executions. Scripts don't necessarily need the HDD to do too much work, rather the CPU is given the brunt of the work-load.

    I am considering the SSD path, but those are out of my budget range at the moment (will need at least 256GB). And SSDs maybe good for me as well since I do a fair bit of video encoding and photoshop on the side...

    I just considered the CPU upgrade since Intel just released the new i3 to i7 range, meaning retailers here, and hopefully the bulk sellers too, will start (heavily) discounting the older C2D processors.
     
    5ushiMonster, Jan 9, 2010
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